physical therapy
Physical therapy is a traditional methodology for treating pains and discomforts in human body. If you are suffering from pain, you should adopt this method of treatment to prevent all chances of recurrence of pain at a later point of time. This method of treatment has been proved to bring relief to patients with permanent disabilities. People with arthritis, low back pain, and cerebral palsy have been treated successfully with physical therapy. A therapist may focus on decreasing pain with either passive or active therapy. Passive or active therapy can be of many types. Some of them are discussed below. You can talk to you doctor and you can choose any one of the following techniques depending upon the type and severity of your pain. It is important to know the root cause of the pain and thereafter you can choose any treatment.
Passive therapy – Passive treatment is based on the scientific study. It works to reduce pain. It can prevent the condition from worsening and help in restoring lost mobility. The following therapies are considered as passive therapy.
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) – Therapists uses electric current at low levels to reduce the sensation of pain. It produces natural pain-killers in the body called endorphins.
- Ultrasound therapy – It uses high-pitched sound waves to ease muscle spasms before exercise, to help relieve pain and inflammation.
- Ice and cold packs – cold packs are used to relieve pain, swelling, and inflammation from injuries and other conditions such as arthritis.
- Heat therapy – It can help relax and heal your muscles and soft tissues by increasing blood circulation and thus helps in reducing pain.
- Massage – It helps relax muscles, improve circulation, and ease pain in the soft tissues. It also reduces inflammation and swelling.
- Joint mobilization – It help loosen tight tissues around a joint and help with flexibility and alignment.
Active therapy – It involves many types of therapeutic exercises. Physical therapist teaches their patients exercises which help them improve and maintain the health of their spines. You will learn good and right postures and positions while sitting, sleeping and standing which will help lessen the amount of pain you feel in your back. The therapists show the proper way of doing these exercises and constantly monitor the improvements. Examples of active physical therapy include:
- Stretching
- Pain relief exercises
- Strengthening the muscles
- Low-impact aerobic exercises
- Deep breathing and meditation
By following any of these techniques, you can get rid of your pain and can lead a healthy life.
